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Posted on: November 21, 2023, 10:36h.
Final up to date on: November 21, 2023, 02:41h.
Christmas got here early for soccer followers in Pittsburgh. The low-scoring Steelers lastly fired offensive coordinator Matt Canada after an unpleasant 13-10 divisional loss towards the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
Followers have been frightened that the Steelers would retain the inept Canada for the rest of this season and even subsequent season.
The Steelers entrance workplace is usually seen as too loyal to a fault, and the group has a popularity for by no means firing a coach in the course of the season. This 12 months, nonetheless, followers had been chanting “Fireplace Canada!” because the first residence recreation of the season at Heinz Area. The ire was so prevalent that followers at Pittsburgh Penguins hockey video games chanted “Fireplace Canada!” throughout residence video games at PPG Paints Area.
The state of affairs had turn into so dire that the Steelers bucked their very own custom and fired Canada.
Matt Canada has been relieved of his duties as offensive coordinator, “ stated head coach Mike Tomlin stated in an official assertion. “I respect Matt’s exhausting work and dedication, and I want him the most effective shifting ahead in his profession.”
The Steelers are 6-4 this season and maintain down second place within the AFC North behind the Baltimore Ravens (7-3). The Steelers would safe the ultimate AFC wild card if the season ended in the present day. In the meantime, the Buffalo Payments are on the playoff bubble and have gone 1-0 since they fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey after a disastrous loss on Monday Evening Soccer in Week 10.
Blame Canada: Steelers’ Offensive Struggles
The Steelers common 16.6 factors per recreation, ranked #28 within the NFL. They’re ranked #31 in passing touchdowns and #29 in complete touchdowns this season.
The Steelers scored greater than 21 factors in a recreation solely 4 instances this season. They scored 10 or fewer factors in 4 video games.
The Steelers’ tepid passing assault generated 170 yards per recreation, the second-worst within the NFL. In 10 video games this season, quarterback Kenny Pickett has solely six landing passes. Pickett tossed one landing within the final 5 video games.
Canada took over because the offensive coordinator in 2021. The Steelers averaged 22 factors per recreation within the first season underneath Canada, however their predictable and unimaginative offense has gotten worse each season since then. Their offensive manufacturing dipped final season to 18.1 factors per recreation, and so they have been ranked the sixth-worst within the NFL.
The Steelers have a profitable report because of a strong protection that stored them in virtually each recreation. Seven video games this season have been determined by one rating. The Steelers have been outgained in each recreation this season. They’ve a detrimental level differential of -29 but miraculously have a profitable report.
Tomlin remained loyal to Canada all through the primary half of the season. He tried to deal with the difficulty by shifting Canada from the skybox sales space to the sidelines in Week 9 in an effort to get him nearer to the motion. The Steelers gained their subsequent two video games however averaged solely 21.5 factors per recreation towards dropping squads (the Tennessee Titans and Inexperienced Bay Packers).
An interim offensive coordinator has but to be named. However candidates embody quarterback coach Mile Sullivan and working again coach Eddie Faulkner.
Betting the Steelers Going Ahead
The Steelers head to Cincinnati to play the Bengals in Week 12 in one other divisional throw-down. The Bengals not too long ago misplaced quarterback Joe Burrow to a season-ending wrist damage. For the second week in a row and the third time within the final 4 video games, the Steelers will play towards a backup quarterback.
The Titans began rookie Will Levis in Week 9 towards the Steelers after Ryan Tannehill sustained an ankle damage. The protection held Levis to 16 factors in a victory. Final week, Dorian Thompson-Robinson began for the Browns after Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending shoulder damage. Regardless of limiting the Browns to 13 factors, the Steelers offense mustered up solely 10 factors in a last-second loss.
The Bengals are a +1 residence underdog towards the Steelers on Sunday. The Steelers are 6-4 towards the purpose unfold this season, and the Bengals have a 4-5-1 ATS report.
Canada’s dismissal didn’t alter the futures market. The Steelers are nonetheless +7500 odds to win the Tremendous Bowl and +3500 odds to win the AFC Championship.
The Ravens are the consensus favourite to win the AFC North at -225 odds, adopted by the Browns (+275), Steelers (+550), and Bengals (+10000).
The Steelers have a 69% likelihood to make the postseason, in line with an up to date playoff projection by Upshot. In addition they have a 15% likelihood to safe the division crown and a 2% likelihood to win the Tremendous Bowl.
The Steelers are -135 odds to make the playoffs and +110 odds to overlook the postseason.
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